A Celebration of El Campo – Puerto Rican Countryside Destination Wedding

Veronica Gonzalez Matos
Jun 30
3 min read

Updated: Oct 23

Writer: Veronica Gonzalez Matos

Updated: July 15

Location: Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Time of planning: 12 months

Number of guests: 160

Setting: Hacienda

Season: Summer

Wedding Coordination: Island Life Events PR

Alyssa and Yonas’s wedding was an “El Campo”-inspired tropical dream nestled in the lush beauty of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. This destination celebration was not only visually breathtaking, but also rooted in local culture, sustainable sourcing, and a deep appreciation for the land.

Love, Nature, and Connection

Alyssa, a thoughtful and detail-oriented Operations & Supply Chain Manager in the spice industry, and Yonas, a Product Manager with a warm presence, envisioned a wedding that felt intentional, meaningful, and beautifully in tune with Puerto Rico’s natural richness.

Their day was built around their shared love for food, music, and vibrant culture—with sustainability and Puerto Rican pride at its core. The design emphasized fresh, local elements: from florals to produce, everything told a story.

A Wedding with Roots

In collaboration with a local agricultural consultant, Antonio Rosa, we worked closely to source all fruits, vegetables, and flowers used in the design from Puerto Rican land. The planning team and vendor partners even visited la finca de Doña Rosita in Moca, where they hand-picked many of the blooms and centerpiece fruits used throughout the event.

The bride’s bouquet was a true work of art—crafted using fragrant azucenas (lilies) grown by the renowned flower cultivator from Santurce, a legendary figure in the world of Puerto Rican floriculture. These aromatic white lilies, native and nearly exclusive to the island, were a deeply symbolic and elegant choice.

In honor of Alyssa’s profession in the spice world, elements of Puerto Rican achiote (annatto) were subtly incorporated into the wedding décor and detail elements. Alyssa even harvests achiote herself, so this inclusion added a unique and personal layer to the celebration.

The floral palette for Alyssa and Yonas’s wedding was a bold celebration of island flora, blending the exotic beauty of white and pink torch gingers with the sensual textures of velvet and sexy pink heliconias. Accents like banana bunches, banana flowers, and pepitas de coco (coconut husks) added depth and authenticity, while tropical greens such as arecas and palmas brought a lush, untamed feel. The result was a setting that felt more like a tropical botanical exhibition than a traditional wedding—organic, immersive, and absolutely stunning. We hope future couples draw inspiration from Alyssa and Yonas’s vision, a vibrant reminder that Puerto Rico offers everything needed for a wedding that is as ethical as it is exquisite.

A Feast of the Land

The menu was a true farm-to-table experience, showcasing the richness of Puerto Rican harvests through thoughtfully sourced ingredients from across the island. Yautía and hoja wraps came from Salvador Coleman at Finca Caribe in Yabucoa, while breadfruit (panas) arrived from Don Benjamín in San Sebastián. The lechón was sourced from La Ceba, fish was freshly caught by Tommy Forte, and chicken provided by To Rrico. Beef came from Hacienda Alvarado, pumpkin from Don Bilin in Moca, and coconut from Billares del Este in Río Grande.

Each bite carried the essence of the island and the dedication of its farmers. The culinary team transformed these ingredients into dishes that not only nourished the guests but also told a powerful, rooted story.

The wedding cake was made by the incredible sweet masters at Eat Dunda. A unique and decadent creation, it featured a moist orange and olive oil base filled with luscious papaya compote. The cake was frosted with a rich toasted butter icing and decorated with non-toxic edible flowers, all locally grown at El Josco Bravo, Proyecto Finca Culinaria in the town of Canóvanas, Puerto Rico. It was a stunning and delicious tribute to Puerto Rico’s bounty.

Final Notes

From the thoughtful sourcing to the vibrant atmosphere, Alyssa and Yonas’s wedding was a celebration of love rooted in the land and culture of Puerto Rico. Their day reminds us that destination weddings can be both luxurious and sustainable, personal and communal.

If you're dreaming of your own Puerto Rican wedding, our team would love to help you bring your vision to life—from creative planning to culturally rich design.

Let’s create something beautiful together. 🌿💍

Looking to Get Married in Puerto Rico?

If you're dreaming of your own destination wedding in this paradise, we’d love to help bring your vision to life. From personalized touches to seamless planning, we’re here to make your journey as beautiful as your big day. 💕 Let’s create something unforgettable together! 🌴✨

Island Life Events - Puerto Rico

Planners+ Designers+ Creative Studio

Phone/WhatsApp: 939-222-9549

Email: ileventspr@gmail.com

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Dream Team Vendors Behind the Wedding Magic ✨💍

Event Coordination + Decor Design: @islandlifeweddings 🪄🎨

Photographers: @twoisbetterpr 📷🖼️

Florals: @ginovaflowers 🌺💐

Cake: @eatdunda 🍰🍓

Venue: @haciendasiestaalegre 🏰🌿